Supporters of illegally-detained Anakpawis Congressman Crispin Beltran have united with musicians, poets, and artists to press for Ka Bel's freedom as a court resolution on a motion filed by Beltran's lawyers nears.

"Cultural workers are outraged over the great injustice done to Ka Bel, one of the pillars of the Philippine labor movement. This concert is a gesture of protest and a celebration of unity for all of us who are up against the Arroyo administration's persecution of our six progressive lawmakers and people peacefully calling for Pres. Arroyo's resignation from office," Dennis Maga, Free Ka Bel Movement (FKBM) Spokesperson said.

"This benefit concert will be the first in a series of activities this April pressing for Ka Bel's immediate release. Ka Bel has been illegally and unjustly detained for too long, and we are prepared to unite with the broadest number of people throughout the nation and the world to press for Ka Bel's liberty," Maga said.

Meanwhile, bikers and joggers will be uniting with the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) this Sunday morning (April 2) in a "Takbo Para sa Kalayaan, Padyak Para sa Kapayapaan" at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. The said activity calls for the upholding of civil liberties and the release of Ka Bel.

Maga added that the FKBM is expecting a favourable court decision that will allow Ka Bel to be released from direct police custody come Monday.

Under the rules, Judge Jenny Lind Aldecoa-Delorino of the Makati Regional Trial Court (MRTC) Branch 137 has until April 2 (Sunday) to issue a resolution on the Motion for Judicial Determination of Probable Cause filed by Beltran's lawyers.

The resolution is expected to be released by the MRTC first thing in the morning on Monday, April 3, 2006.